Picture a 4,700-kilometer steel snake rolling out from the Chinese mainland municipality of Chongqing—its carriages brimming with polyester chip resin destined for Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent. This is Day One of a new bi-monthly freight link connecting southwest China with Central Asia, poised to turbocharge regional trade.
After passing through Horgos Port in Xinjiang and crossing Kazakhstan, the train will deliver its cargo in roughly 12 days—30% faster than before. These regular services promise smoother customs clearance, lower costs, and more predictable schedules, explains Xu Meiqiong, an engineer at China Railway Chengdu Group.
For Chongqing Wankai New Materials Technology, which supplied the inaugural cargo, the route is a game changer. Lin Zheng, the company’s logistics manager, says the connection supports their expansion into Central Asia with greater speed and efficiency.
Chongqing’s ambition to become a comprehensive inland hub is already bearing fruit. As of February, over 18,000 freight trains have departed the city on more than 50 regular routes linking Chongqing with markets in Central Asia and Europe, touching 100+ hub cities and regions.
- 2 monthly departures from Chongqing to Uzbekistan
- 4,700 km journey in about 12 days
- 30% reduction in transit times
- Access to 100+ hub cities and regions across Central Asia and Europe
As global logistics evolve, this pioneering rail corridor highlights how innovation and infrastructure can bridge markets, boost economies, and connect cultures across continents.
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Regular freight train route links China's Chongqing with Central Asia
cgtn.com
